So… you think you may have a sexually transmitted infection (STI)? Don’t panic! In this post, we will discuss what an STI is, symptoms you may experience, how to receive treatment, the ways to prevent them, and some gentle reminders

1) What is an STI? 

An STI is caused by an organism (bacteria, virus, or parasite) that can be passed from one person to another during sex or intimate contact. These infections can be passed between sexual partners through unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sex. It may also be passed through skin-to-skin contact. Numerous types of STIs vary widely on their treatability. Some can be cured with medication and others can be treated with medication, but not cured (BCCDC).

2) How will I know if I have an STI?

This is tricky because different STIs have different symptoms. Some have visible symptoms, and some can go virtually undetected. There are different ways in which you can know if you have an STI. Some symptoms could include an unusual discharge from the vagina, penis or anus, pain when peeing, lumps or skin growths around the genitals or bottom (anus), a rash, unusual vaginal bleeding, itchy genitals or anus, blisters and sores around your genitals or anus, warts around your genitals or anus, and rarely, warts in your mouth or throat (NHS). Other ways you may suspect you have an STI is if you have sex with an unfamiliar partner or your partner has/suspects they have an STI.

3) What to do if you suspect you have an STI?

If you suspect you have an STI DO NOT have sexual contact with anybody until you have received the results from an STI test. If you live in BC, there are various resources to get an STI test. You can go to your GP, a women’s clinic (if you identify as a woman), or a youth’s clinic (if you are 13-24). In BC, we have a great resource called Get Checked Online (linked below). It is An easy way to test for STIs without visiting a health care provider. Create a lab form from their online assessment, and bring it to a participating lab to provide your samples for testing. You get your results online or by phone. Testing is free and available to anyone who can visit a participating Lab Location. The service is only available in some communities in British Columbia. 

4) So you have an STI, now what? (Information from Get Checked Online)

If you have found out that you have a sexually transmitted infection (STI), you are not alone. STIs are common and can be treated or managed with follow-up care. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV and hepatitis C are all reportable STIs.  This means that positive test results are shared with public health. This helps to ensure that you and your partner(s) get the proper support and treatment​.

A nurse at the BC Centre for Disease Control will contact you.

A nurse from the BCCDC STI clinic will:​​ explain your test results to you, offer options for treatment, answer any questions you have, and refer you to services and resources that can further support you, ask you about sexual partners and talk with you about how to let them know to get testing and treatment.

You will be given treatment options.

Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis: These STIs are all cured with antibiotics. It is important that you do not have oral, vaginal or anal sex until you and your partners have finished taking all of the medication.  If you or your partners miss pills or have sex before you have finished your treatment, there is a chance that you can still pass the infection. If this happens, talk with your health care provider who will help you to decide if you need further treatment.

HIV: HIV is managed with anti-viral medications which help keep the virus count low in the blood. HIV cannot be cured, but medication helps people stay healthy.  A health care provider will talk with you about what treatment options are best for you.  

Hepatitis C: Hepatitis C is treated and usually cured with medication.  A health care provider will talk to you about treatment options.

Sexual partners are encouraged to get tested and treated.

 If you have ​an STI, it is recommended that your partners be told to get tested and treated.  A BCCDC STI nurse will offer ways to notify your partner(s).  You can: 

1. Tell your partner(s) yourself.
2. Have a BCCDC STI nurse tell your partner(s), or connect you with a health care provider in your region. Your name will not be used.

Your results are stored in secure databases.

Your personal health information is kept within secure databases at the Provincial Health Services Authority.  Test results are also kept in a provincial laboratory system called the Provincial Laboratory Information Solution (PLIS), where a code is used instead of your name.  Health care providers who are not providing you with care will not be able to access your records.​​​

5) Ways to prevent STIs

Good news, STIs are preventable! That being said, nothing is 100% effective but these are the best ways to do so. 

Although at C.A.R.D. we do not take an abstinence model to sexual education, we must inform you that Abstinence, including intercourse or oral sex, is the only certain way to prevent an infection. We know that is not necessarily a feasible approach, but we want to provide you with the most honest and comprehensive information possible. There is nothing wrong with choosing to remain abstinent or if you choose to have sex. That being said, we will now provide options for those who choose to have sex. 

Discuss STIs before you have sex with someone. Even though a sex partner doesn’t have symptoms of an STI, he or she may still be infected. Here are some questions to ask someone before having sex include:

• How many people have you had sex with?
• Have you had sex without a condom?
• Have you ever had unprotected oral sex?
• Have you had more than one sex partner at a time?
• Do you inject illegal drugs or have you had sex with someone who injects drugs?
• Have you ever had unprotected sex with a prostitute?
• Have you had a test for HIV? What were the results?
• Have you ever had an STI, including hepatitis B or hepatitis C? Was it treated and cured?

Ways to practice safer sex:

Some STIs, such as HIV, can take up to 6 months before they can be detected in the blood. Genital herpes and the human papillomavirus (HPV) can be spread when symptoms are not present. Even if you and your partner have been tested, use condoms for all sex until you and your partner haven’t had sex with another person for 6 months. Then get tested again.

• • Watch for symptoms of STIs, such as unusual discharge, sores, redness, growths in your and your partner’s genital area, or pain while urinating.
  • Don’t have more than one sex partner at a time. The safest sex is with one partner who has sex only with you. Every time you add a new sex partner, you are being exposed to all of the diseases that all of their partners may have. Your risk for an STI increases if you have several sex partners at the same time.
  • Use a condom every time you have sex. A condom is the best way to protect yourself from STIs. Latex and polyurethane condoms do not let STI viruses pass through, so they offer good protection from STIs. Condoms made from sheep intestines do not protect against STIs.
  • Use a water-based lubricant such as K-Y Jelly or Astroglide to help prevent tearing of the skin if there is a lack of lubrication during sexual intercourse. Small tears in the vagina during vaginal sex or in the rectum during anal sex allow STI bacteria or viruses to get into your blood.

• Avoid douching if you are a woman because it can change the normal balance of organisms in the vagina and increases the risk of getting an STI.

• A mouth barrier, such as a dental dam, can be used to reduce the spread of infection through oral sexual activity. You can discuss this method with your dentist or doctor.
• Tell your sex partner or partners if you have symptoms of an infection or if you’re being treated for an STI, such as HIV or herpes. If you or your partner has herpes, avoid sexual contact when a blister is present. If you and your partner have sex, use a latex condom.

6) Gentle reminders for those who have tested positive for an STI.

An STI does not make you dirty! They are more common than you think. They are really no big deal as long as you are receiving treatment and your partners are aware. 

STI does not lower your value! You are always worthy of love, pleasure, and companionship. 

Know your rights! You are still entitled to privacy and respect. Others are not allowed to spread your medical history.

Be kind to yourself! This can be an incredibly difficult and traumatic thing to experience. Go easy on yourself, and seek out help from your doctor or a counsellor as needed.